Arrowhead Report: Thursday, Sept. 23rd

Chiefs continue prep for San Francisco; don't respond to Vernon Davis

The Chiefs are getting healthier. Though starting left defensive end Tyson Jackson remains out of practice sessions, three players formerly on the injury list were back to working at full capacity today.

“We got a few more guys back and that is always good for us moving into a Thursday,” Coach Todd Haley said.

Only McGraw missed last weekend’s game in Cleveland due to injury.

As for Jackson, he says that he is seeing daily improvement in his injured left knee, but still isn’t sure about the timetable for his return.

“I’m just giving it time and taking it day-by-day,” Jackson said. “Nature will take its course. It’s a process and it’s a part of football. You have to take the good with the bad and improve from there.”

Jackson officially “did not participate” in today’s practice, nor did right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan. Safety Reshard Langford was added to the injury list with an ankle injury (limited practice participant).

No Response for Davis

Vernon Davis stirred up the Chiefs faithful yesterday afternoon, essentially guaranteeing victory during his conference call with the Kansas City media. Inside Arrowhead, however, Davis’ comments were largely brushed off.

“Being a heck of a competitor, I would expect that to be his belief and viewpoint,” Haley said.

“That made me flash to the sports science thing that he did this summer where he yanked the guy off that thing and he flew about 10 yards and burned his elbows up.”

While the 49ers star tight end specifically referred to Sunday’s contest at Arrowhead at a “must game” for San Francisco, head coach Mike Singletary wouldn’t go that far.

“The one thing that I don’t ever want to get into is a must-win,” Singletary said. “I think that there are things that you must do in order to win football games, and I think that we need to do those things. We have to focus on the things that we need to do rather than focus on must-wins.”

Speaking of must-win things; for the Chiefs, defending Vernon Davis is likely on that list. Kansas City struggled with tight end matchups last season and have seen tight ends roll up 11 catches for 166 yards with a TD against them this season.

Judging solely from the 49ers’ comments in their conference calls this week, I’d expect a highly competitive and physical atmosphere this Sunday at Arrowhead.

Haley’s 2-0 Explanation

The Chiefs are 2-0 despite owning the leagues 30th ranked offense and 24th ranked defense. Almost everyone has their opinions on how the Chiefs have been able to get off to such a hot start despite an anything but pretty stat book.

In these blogs we’ve discussed the Chiefs being a both salty and opportunistic bunch. Today, the head coach laid out what he thinks has led to the Chiefs perfect start.

1) The Chiefs have played better than their opponents

JL: Though the Chiefs haven’t topped all their opponents from a stat perspective, they have played smarter football by committing fewer penalties and they’ve also committed less costly mistakes. The key stat here is that the Chiefs are 17 in points off turnovers, not allowing any opponent points following a Kansas City giveaway.

2) The Chiefs have been opportunistic on defense and special teams

JL: This one speaks for itself with return TDs in each game.

3) The Chiefs have stopped the run

JL: Top-10 rushing defense at 91.0 yards yielded per game.

4) The Chiefs have been able to run the football

JL: Top-5 rushing offense with 137.5 yards per game on the ground.

Explaining the 49ers

Anyone who watched the 49ers play the Saints on Monday Night Football had to walk away from their television sets impressed. Chiefs players and coaches were part of that bunch and have expressed that sentiment this week.

What those at Arrowhead have had trouble to explain, however, is exactly how this talented 49ers team is standing at 0-2.

“I don’t know, I think that’s something that you’d have to ask them,” LB Mike Vrabel said. “They went up into a hornets’ nest in Seattle and then they played the defending Super Bowl Champs to the wire last week. Sometimes you play well in this league and lose, and sometimes you play crappy and win.”